Product Description

The Karoliner moulds, the French Regiments 1750 and the Irish Wild Geese are the same moulds. S901, F901 & I901 are the same mould supplied with a lable with a picture appropriate to that regiments colour scheme.

How to make a Battle scene using Karoliner Pikemen & Cavalry.

How to Cast & Paint a Karoliner Pikeman.

Karoliner and Russian Uniform options by Hugh Morton.

THE CAROLINE ARTILLERY

In order, during an attack, to give the infantry battalion the largest possible fire- power, 2-, 3-, or 6- pound cannons were placed between the battalions. The ammunition used for these were (the so called) "gershwinda" shot (a standard cartridge with a charge and projectile all in one). To load and fire a cannon with this type of cartridge, at least 4 men were required. One man to place the cartridge into the barrel and a second man to pound it down into the bottom of the barrel with the ramrod. The third man was needed to place the fuse in the fuse-hole and the fourth man to set fire to the fuse with a lighting torch. With these cartridges the artillery were able to fire 5 - 6 times faster than the musketeers with their rifles. With Prince August figures you can build your own artillery for both infantry support and firing on fortresses. Several of the figures can be used in different combinations, fig 1.shows what the figures look like, that we use in the following examples. If you want to create artillery for infantry support, place just one cannon between your battalions. The artillery will take up too much space if you use more, this way it will give a better idea of what it looked like next to the massive infantry. Fig 2.Shows examples of how you can place the figures for loading and firing the cannon. The arrows show the direction the figures should face. You can of course increase the support for the cannons with further artillerymen but you need a minimum of four men for each cannon. If you want to arrange a battery for the bombardment of a fortress, 4 - 6 cannons would be adequate. They are then placed in line and must be provided with enough support for positioning, loading and firing, according to fig 3. Also, keep in mind that you ought to have an infantry troop standing by to help keep potential enemy cavalry at bay.

THE CAROLINE INFANTRY BATTALION

A battalion in Karl Xllth army consisted of four companies of 150 men in each, in all 600 men. A regiment consisted normally of two battalions, or 1200 men. For most collectors it would be virtually impossible to cast and paint such a large amount of figures within a reasonable time, therefor it is normal to decrease the battalions to a ratio of 1/10. This gives a battalion of 60 men and a regiment of 120 men. With careful planning of placing the figures the impression of volume and power can still be retained. You can use the following directions for placing 80 men (musketeers, foot soldiers and grenadiers) as well as the company standard bearers, officers and drummers. The battalions usually fought in a formation of four rows with an arms length between the men. The foot soldiers were placed in the middle of the battalion, the musketeers on both side and the grenadiers on the flanks. The front-line measured 185 meters long and 6 meters deep. When the battalion was commandeered to attack the drummers gave the drum roll to begin and then marked the rhythm with each step. About 70 steps away from the enemy the two back rows were commandeered to double up with the two front rows (get in between them), and fire a volley. The grenadiers also fired at the same time. After that they continued as they started, in four rows, when they were 30 steps away from the enemy, the first two rows were commandeered to fire a volley. At this stage, the grenadiers had brought out their hand grenades to light and throw. After the volley, the whole battalion stormed the enemy and used their lances and bayonets.

The Advancing Battalion

Since reducing the force by 1/10, it would be advisable to simplify the attack. The following diagram shows the placement of the figures.

The Shooting Battalion

When you have finished the placement of your attacking army it is time to arrange a battalion to fire a volley. The easiest way is to change the musketeers and grenadiers form the advancing formation to the firing and waiting soldiers according to the following diagram.

The Marching Battalion

THE CAROLINE CAVALRY SQUADRON

During the latter part of 1700 century, the Swedish cavalry practised for attack at a tremendous speed with their swords (rapiers) ready and in closely held formations. The sword (rapier) was mainly used, as a stabbing weapon, pistol volleys were never heard during an attack. The Swedish enemy cavalries fought at a considerably slower pace and often used pistol volleys from the first onslaught.

The formation

A squadron in Karl Xllth army comprised of two companies of 125 men in each, together 250 men. A cavalry regiment comprised of four squadrons, in all 1000 men. There was also a higher fighting division called distribution, which consisted of eight squadrons and was thought to be Karl Xllth own invention. For practical reasons reduce the ratio of your squadrons to 1/10 which gives each squadron 25 men.

The Attack

The squadrons attacked in a very tight formation, in the shape of a snow plough, in two rows, sometimes three. The plough formation was created through the riders to the left of the middleman kept their right knee behind his right comrades left knee and the riders to the right of the middleman kept their left knee behind his left comrades right knee. They used to say that the Swedish cavalry rode knee behind knee. During the attack the riders forced their mounts towards the middle of the formation. To the enemy it must have looked like a living wall of horses in full gallop.

The attack with tin soldiers

Since we have reduced the squadrons to 1/10 of its force, the best would be to use two rows of figures. This way the overall effect will not be diminished and the squadron will have the right width. You will need two standard bearers, just like it's historical equivalent. The squadron consists of a captain (commander), two officers, three non-commissioned officers, two standard bearers, one trumpeter and sixteen privates. The reason for the large amount of officers is because Karl Xllth squadrons always doubled up to be able to quickly replace the fallen during an attack. The following figure shows the formation.